New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-23
KEEPING OUT THE PAUPERS.


The restriction Of immigration Is an appro-
yniate subject for discussion by convention
Of County Superintendent OF the Poor. The
statistics of every almshouso and pauper in
zane asylum in the country, where the stream
OF immigration has made itself felt at all.
will show that large proportion OF their
inmates have been foreigners who came here
unfit 10 take care Of Themselves or soon be
came so. In 1855, for example, 2,1O9 I'M
migrants were admitted 10 Wards Island |;
In 1884, 3,1O2. These figures represent
public burden Of no small proportions. But
we doubt if Mr.. McGoncgal, of Monroe County.
who advocated before the New-York Conyen-
ton at Babylon the imposition OF tax OF not
less than IS on each immigrant arriving at
any port in the United States, the proceeds
to be used TO support immigrants becomine
dependent, paying passages back, etc, will
find much support for his PROJECT Five dol
lars would be a large sum TO many an Indus
tIiols, deserving mmi grant and this would
seem altogether too much like making the In
nocent suffer for the guilty. The convention
apparently took that view in turning the whole
sub iect over to Congress, In resolution
which suggested the addition OF only one new
class TO those already excluded by law-AnMch-
ists. But just how Anarchists are to be
shut out simply for being Anarchists the
convention wisely rcfraincd from trying TO
show.
The whole sub ject grows upon the attention
OF the country In a marked degree 1t Is
already a fixed feature IN party platforms
The Pennsylvania Republicans followed the
example of both the party conventions 1h
Ohio in calling for restriction. AS another
indication Of public sentiment, the Pmiade[
phia Society for Organizing Charity has can
yasscd the various similar associations oil tho
country. with the re-ult that, OF seventeen
societies in different States, twelve were found
to favor restrictive legislation, While Nv"
either opposed it or failed TO take any decided
attitude. 1t is obvious that the SUBJECT VIII
be pressed upon the consideration OF Congress
in a way that body can hardly disregard IL
il likely 10 need all its wisdom In dealing with
the question. Secretary Bayard wisely said,
in transmitting the immigration report 10
Congress. that, taking into consideration the
immigration of skilled labor, it would seem
that indiscriminatc restriction ''would DO
quite as mschievous as indiscriminate per-
there f. no question now of indiscrimlnate
restriction. The general opinion as repre-
scnted in the reports Of our consuls abroad
and the press seems to be simply IN favor oil
a more effective quarantine against the paupef
and criminal classes, 70 be achieved by re-
ouring each imm grant TO bring certificate
Of good character, capacity for sclf-support,
etc from the United States Consul stationed
nearest his home or port OF departure. Beyond
this it hardly seems practicable to go. For
the rest VIC must trust the National digestion
to take care Of the task put upon 1t.
1t Is q curious and interesting fact that
some of tho evils Of immigration wo are now
feeling showed themselves sooner In countries
Younger than ours For example, three years
ago the colonial government Of Ncw-Zealand
was taking from England large numbers oil
mechanics, farm laborers and domestic ser
wants free of charge, merely requiring them
to pay 81 for the kit for use on board ship
Tho prospect of getting three months living
for so trifing a sum was alone enough TO ORA"
a crowd of undesirable immigrants tho colony
was soon OveIstOckcd, and all efforts to sum-
ulate immigration have ceased. 80 also IN
New South Wales the trades organizations
declared there was large surplus OF laborers,
and sent speakers to England to check the
movement Finally the colony's immigration
bureau in London was closed. The cheap
storage rates to this country have been equiv
alent to an assisted passage and IL we
have not earlier felt i'll effects 1T was doubt
less because our vast resources enabled US to
find use for a great number of workers, and
also, it must be said to feed goDd many
Manners